Broncos News Briefs - Thursday, Mar. 31

Broncos Update

03/31/2005

The trade of Denver Broncos running back Reuben Droughns puts the spotlight on Tatum Bell as the apparent starter for the Broncos. Read more in today's news about Bell, as well as an analysis of the four Cleveland defensive linemen the Broncos have acquired

Bell's chance to shine arrives - Denver Post - Bill Williamson
Thursday, March 31, 2005 - The trade of Reuben Droughns is another indication that Tatum Bell will get the opportunity to be the next 1,000- yard rusher for the Broncos. One of the reasons the Broncos granted Droughns' request - and why he asked for it in the first place - is because they had decided Bell will get first crack at being the team's primary tailback in 2005. Droughns, traded to Cleveland for defensive linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers on Wednesday, was told he would have to go back to fullback if he stayed in Denver. However, now that he's gone, Bell is concentrating on his job.

Ekuban glad to swap Browns for Broncos - Denver Post - Bill Williamson
Thursday, March 31, 2005 - Ebenezer Ekuban has been a Bronco for a day but already knows a majority of the people he will be directly working with.
Sans the breeze from Lake Erie and the barks from the Dawg Pound, the setting remains the same for Ekuban, the main figure in Denver's trade of tailback Reuben Droughns, which became official Wednesday. "We're becoming the Denver Browns," Ekuban said. "We're switching the blue for the brown, but the orange remains the same. There's some talent on that line that just moved there so I'm pretty happy, and I hope the Broncos will be, too."

No rave reviews for the Broncos' moves - Rocky Mountain News - Jeff Legwold
March 31, 2005 - The song says Cleveland Rocks and the Denver Broncos apparently were ready to sing the tune all the way through March. In a free-agent shopping spree that has landed four former Cleveland Browns defensive linemen in the Broncos' Dove Valley complex in a three-week span, Denver's decision makers have gone where few, if any, teams have gone before. Not only have they acquired four players - Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers - from the same roster, they have taken all four players from the same meeting room inside the Browns' Berea, Ohio, complex.

Trading Places - DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 - The Broncos and Cleveland Browns wasted little time in becoming trading partners once again. Less than four weeks after the teams completed a deal sending Gerard Warren to Denver in exchange for a fourth round pick in April's draft, the Broncos sent Reuben Droughns to Cleveland in exchange for defensive linemen Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers. The reunites Ekuban and Myers with their former position coach, Andre Patterson, whom the Broncos hired in February to work with the defensive front. Patterson coached both players in Cleveland and also with the Dallas Cowboys.

Brown-Out: Former No. 1 Pick Signs With Broncos - DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 - Just hours after trading for a pair of Cleveland Browns defensive linemen, the Broncos finalized a contract with defensive end Courtney Brown, bringing the top pick in the 2000 NFL Draft to the Broncos and further fortifying the defensive front. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the addition of Brown brings a third former No. 1 draft pick to the defensive line in the past four weeks. Denver acquired 2001 No. 3 overall pick Gerard Warren from the Browns on March 3 and procured 1998 No. 20 overall selection Ebenezer Ekuban earlier on Wednesday afternoon. The team also picked up defensive tackle Michael Myers in the same trade.